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.Scientists discover metal-eating plant in Philippines : SCIENCE : Tech Times
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A metal-eating plant has been
discovered on an island in the
Philippines. While most plants and
other life forms are poisoned by high
levels of nickel, this bizarre plant
thrives on the metal.
This bizarre life form was found by
researchers from the University of the
Phillipines.
Nickel is a source of sustenance for
these plants, which can accumulate
concentrations of the metal up to
18,000 parts per million (ppm) in their
leaves, without experiencing any toxic
side effects. This is 1,000 times more
than most other plants can safely
store. This unusual ability, found in
fewer than one percent of plant
species, is called nickel
hyperaccumulation.
Rinorea niccolifera is one of only about
450 species of plant known to use
metals as part of their normal lifestyle.
Another plant known to exhibit this
behavior are Thlapsi, a genus of herb
that is common in China, and
throughout southern and eastern
areas of Europe. This species
consumes calcium and zinc in addition
to nickel. Gomphrena claussenii was
discovered in 2013, by researchers
from the Netherlands and Brazil. This
species, native to areas around Minas
Gerais, Brazil, can consume large
quantities of zinc. Many of the plants
are living happily near highly-
contaminated mines in the region.